The main character Jane is, hands down, one of the best modern representations of what it's like to be in your 30's, childless and unmarried. What an absolute hoot! I found myself laughing out loud and felt an immediate connection with the main character Jane and could easily see commonalities between Jane and my unmarried 30(ish)friends as well. For many unmarried 30-something(ish)women, everyone around you seems to be getting swept off their feet and marrying Mr.Right. Soon your married friends are preparing perfectly baked casseroles and pies, acquire 'coupon-cutting' type organization skills, host charitable events, are members of the PTA and have husbands who smile while doing the dishes and whistle happy tunes while taking out the trash. They have suburbia houses(complete with a white picket fence)with Feng Shui interiors straight out of an IKEA catalog, 1.5 kids, an adorable and well-behaved puppy, a lusciously green lawn, a stunning garden and prize-winning vegetables. Well, at least that's how it appears to the rest of us...(wink). This novel captures those feelings (and illusions) and presents them in a humorous and entertaining way.
I'll be the first to admit, I DETEST "Chick-Lit". I cringe at the sappy romances and unrealistic stories that flood the genre. With that said, I eyed this book cautiously wondering if it would live up to it's unique description. Ultimately, curiosity prevailed and I took the plunge. I'm so glad I did. The author skillfully captured the essence of women's lives in their 30's; the dating scene, messy home or apartment rentals with stray socks under the bed, scattered take-out containers, family drama including mother's that begin to wonder if their daughter will ever find a husband, and a job that feels like a dead-end chore. The author captures all of this and more, turns it on it's head and makes the somewhat depressing incredibly, laugh out loud hilarious.
Jane's story, while incredibly funny, also carries with it important life lessons presented in a subtle yet impacting way. I won't say what these lessons are as I believe it's up to the reader to interpret the novel's deeper meanings. The fact that the author was able to convey these lessons in such a light-hearted and downright goofy way further illustrates her talent as a writer.
Other reviewers have already covered the story and bare bones of the book in detail so I won't go in depth about what others have already said. In brief, this novel is written extremely well, the atmosphere is rich and vibrant in its descriptions, each character is unique and quirky, and the novel is well-edited.
It has been a very long time since I've read a novel where I have felt so connected to the characters; each one reminding me of someone in my own life. I am certain that every reader will be able to connect characters from this novel to friends and family of their own. I was extremely invested in the story line and cannot remember the last time a novel made me laugh so hard and so frequently, while at the same time conveying a greater message about life, love, self-worth and purpose.
I highly recommend this novel. If you are like me and avoid "chick-lit" like it's a contagious disease, don't pass this one by. I'm glad I didn't. This novel should act as a beacon for the genre, as an example for other authors of how to write a realistic(ish) book about aging, women, men, friends, family and love that ordinary, real people can connect with. Well done to the author, Cara Trautman, for writing such an engaging novel. It left me feeling very...happy(ish).
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